Best Ad Platform for Shopify: How to Pick the Best One

Summary

In this Shopify Masterclass, Jamie discusses the best ad platforms for Shopify stores, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one or two platforms to maximize sales. He reviews Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, highlighting their unique features, targeting capabilities, and creative requirements. Jamie advises choosing a platform based on audience demographics, product type, and budget, and stresses the significance of understanding each platform's nuances for effective advertising.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on one or two ad platforms initially to set up correctly and learn their nuances for effective results.
• 🔍 Choose ad platforms based on your audience's demographics, product type, and content format suitability.
• 📈 Start with Facebook and Instagram for detailed targeting, remarketing, and large audience reach, but be aware of high competition and ad saturation.
• 🎥 Prioritize creative video content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to capture attention quickly.
• 🔍 Utilize Google Ads for granular keyword targeting and less creative work, but be mindful of potentially high costs for competitive keywords.
• 📸 Consider Pinterest for apparel and fashion brands with a female and US audience, noting its image-focused nature and evolving ad capabilities.
• 📉 Be cautious of high CPCs on platforms like Pinterest, which can vary greatly depending on the niche.
• 📹 Leverage TikTok for younger audiences and capitalize on its large scale, but ensure your content is engaging and fits the platform's trends.
• 🎬 Use YouTube for long-form video ads, paying only for views over five seconds, and consider niche-specific targeting techniques.
• 🤳 Explore Snapchat for a younger demographic, noting its improved ad capabilities and creative ad requirements.
• 📊 Use analytics wisely to understand which ad platforms and strategies work best for your Shopify store's specific needs and budget.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is to discuss which ad platforms are suitable for a Shopify store, covering the pros and cons of each platform to help store owners decide where to focus their advertising efforts.

Why is it recommended to focus on one or two ad platforms initially?

Focusing on one or two ad platforms initially is recommended because each platform has its own nuances in campaign setup, structure, and achieving effective results. It's important to spend time learning the ins and outs of each platform to generate sales before considering others.

What is the role of the sponsor 'Profit Calc' in the video?

Profit Calc is the sponsor of the video, offering a one-click profit calculator app for Shopify business owners to simplify their accounting process, allowing them to focus more on growing their store. They provide a 15-day free trial for the app.

What factors should be considered when choosing an ad platform for a Shopify store?

Factors to consider include the age and interests of the target audience, the type of products being sold, the suitability of the products for video or search content, and the platform's audience reach and engagement level.

What are the advantages of using Facebook and Instagram for advertising?

Facebook and Instagram offer detailed targeting options, allowing businesses to reach specific demographics and interests. They also support remarketing and have good tracking capabilities for dynamic display ads.

What challenges might one face when advertising on Facebook and Instagram?

Challenges include the need for creative and engaging video content, the requirement to frequently update ads to keep them fresh, and the platform's saturation with many advertisers, which can make it difficult to stand out and can lead to higher CPCs.

How does Google Ads differ from other platforms mentioned in the video?

Google Ads, including Google Shopping and Search Ads, requires no custom creative for search ads and Google Shopping ads. It allows for granular targeting of keywords and can be less labor-intensive once set up, with integrations available through the Shopify App Store.

What are the potential downsides of using Google Ads for a Shopify store?

Potential downsides include the possibility of high costs for competitive keywords and the fact that it can be crowded, especially for dropshipping businesses.

Why is Pinterest considered a good platform for apparel and fashion brands?

Pinterest is image-focused and popular with women in the US, making it a suitable platform for apparel and fashion brands. It also allows for targeting specific niches and has improved its advertising capabilities in recent years.

What are the key considerations for advertising on TikTok?

Key considerations for advertising on TikTok include the need for engaging content that can capture the audience's attention quickly, as TikTok users tend to scroll through content rapidly. The platform is also popular among younger audiences.

What is the main advantage of YouTube ads in terms of cost-effectiveness?

The main advantage of YouTube ads is that advertisers only pay for views that are longer than five seconds, which can be more cost-effective as it targets engaged viewers rather than those who skip the ad.

What are some alternative ad platforms mentioned in the video?

Alternative ad platforms mentioned in the video include Snapchat, which is popular among younger audiences and offers good targeting, and Reddit, which can be a good option depending on the niche and targeting needs.

How does the video suggest evaluating the effectiveness of an ad platform?

The video suggests evaluating the effectiveness of an ad platform by considering the store's products, price range, target audience, and countries of interest, as these factors will influence which platform is best suited for the business.

Outlines

00:00

🛍️ Choosing the Right Ad Platform for Your Shopify Store

Jamie from Shopify Masterclass introduces the topic of selecting an appropriate ad platform for a Shopify store. The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on one or two platforms initially, understanding their nuances, and achieving effective results before considering others. The video is sponsored by Profit Calc, a one-click profit calculator app for Shopify. The summary discusses the need to choose a platform based on audience demographics, product types, and content formats, suggesting that most Shopify stores struggle to master even one ad platform effectively.

05:02

🎨 Navigating the Landscape of Digital Advertising Platforms

This paragraph delves into the specifics of various ad platforms, starting with Facebook and Instagram, highlighting their detailed targeting capabilities, large audience base, and the importance of creative video content. The speaker mentions the challenges of standing out in a crowded marketplace and the necessity of creating fresh content regularly. The discussion then shifts to Google Ads, including Google Shopping and Search Ads, which require no custom creative but demand precise keyword targeting. The paragraph concludes by touching on the rising costs of search ads due to increased competition.

Keywords

💡Shopify Masterclass

Shopify Masterclass refers to a series of educational content or a course that aims to teach individuals how to effectively use Shopify, an e-commerce platform, to grow their online stores. In the video, Jamie introduces the topic as part of the Shopify Masterclass, indicating that the content will be focused on strategic advice for using Shopify.

💡Ad Platform

An ad platform, in the context of this video, is a digital medium or service used to create and run advertising campaigns. The script discusses various ad platforms and their suitability for different types of Shopify stores, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right platform to reach the target audience effectively.

💡Audience Targeting

Audience targeting is the process of directing advertising efforts towards a specific group of consumers based on certain characteristics. The video script mentions the importance of understanding where your audience is and tailoring ad campaigns to reach them effectively, such as targeting by age, interests, or behaviors.

💡Campaigns

In the script, campaigns refer to the advertising efforts run by businesses on various ad platforms. Jamie discusses the nuances of setting up campaigns, the importance of learning the platform's specifics, and the need to generate sales from these campaigns.

💡Creative Content

Creative content in advertising is the material used to engage and persuade the audience, such as videos, images, or text. The video emphasizes the need for engaging creative content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where video content is heavily trending and requires frequent updates to keep the audience interested.

💡Remarketing

Remarketing is an advertising strategy where ads are shown to people who have previously interacted with a business's website or products. The script mentions that Facebook is a great platform for setting up remarketing campaigns, allowing businesses to target customers who have viewed their products.

💡Google Ads

Google Ads is an online advertising service provided by Google, which includes search ads, display ads, and shopping ads. The video discusses the benefits of using Google Ads, such as the ability to target specific keywords and the requirement of no custom creative for search and shopping ads.

💡Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media platform that is particularly popular for visual content and is often used for advertising fashion and apparel. The script notes that Pinterest is image-focused and has a large global reach, making it a suitable platform for certain niches, especially targeting women in the US.

💡TikTok

TikTok is a social media platform known for its short-form videos, which has become a popular place for advertising to younger audiences. The video script highlights TikTok's large scale and the importance of creating engaging, platform-specific content that can capture the attention of users quickly.

💡YouTube Ads

YouTube Ads are advertisements shown on YouTube, typically before a video starts (pre-roll ads). The script explains that with YouTube Ads, businesses only pay for views that are longer than five seconds, indicating that the platform is suitable for longer video content where viewers are likely to watch the entire ad.

💡Snapchat

Snapchat is a social media platform that is popular among younger audiences and is known for its ephemeral content. The video script mentions Snapchat as a platform with good targeting capabilities and the importance of creating creative and engaging ads for this platform.

💡Profit Calc

Profit Calc is mentioned as a sponsor of the video and is described as a one-click profit calculator app available on the Shopify App Store. It is positioned as a tool to simplify accounting for Shopify business owners, helping them to understand their business's financial health in real-time.

Highlights

Jamie from Shopify Masterclass discusses the importance of choosing the right ad platform for a Shopify store.

Recommendation to focus on one or two ad platforms and set them up correctly before expanding to others.

Highlighting the nuances of setting up campaigns and the need to learn the ins and outs of each platform.

Introduction of Profit Calc, a one-click profit calculator app for Shopify, sponsored by the video.

Profit Calc's features include automatic syncing with accounts and expenses, and an easy-to-read dashboard.

The decision on ad platforms should be based on audience demographics and product types.

Facebook and Instagram are popular starting points for Shopify store owners due to detailed targeting options.

Facebook's advantages include remarketing capabilities and dynamic display ads.

The need for creative video content on Facebook and Instagram due to the platforms' heavy video trend.

The crowded nature of Facebook and Instagram and the rising costs per click due to saturation.

Google Ads, including Google Shopping and Search Ads, require no custom creative and offer granular targeting.

Google Shopping's ease of use, pulling directly from Shopify product images.

Pinterest's popularity with apparel and fashion brands and its image-focused platform.

TikTok's massive scale and suitability for targeting younger audiences with engaging content.

YouTube Ads' pay-per-view model and the importance of creating content that viewers won't skip.

Snapchat's appeal to a younger demographic and the need for creative and engaging ads.

The importance of researching each platform's nuances and choosing the best fit for the brand and budget.

Encouragement to focus on mastering one to two platforms before considering others due to the time investment required.

Invitation to like, subscribe, and comment with questions, and a reminder of the Profit Calc 15-day free trial offer.

Transcripts

what's going on everyone it's Jamie here

from Shopify masterclass and today we'll

be going over which ad platform you

should be picking for your Shopify store

whenever quite a few of them here today

went over some pros and cons for each to

help you decide which app platform you

want to focus on one key thing about

starting with Shopify is you want to

focus on one or two ad platforms and

making sure you get those set up

correctly as for each platforms there's

quite a bit of nuance in how you set

campaigns up how you structure them and

how to get effective results you want to

make sure you're spending time on each

so you learn the ins and outs of it and

start to generate sales from there and

only when you feel like you've kind of

maxed out for a specific ad platform you

should switch to another one most

Shopify stores don't even get one app

platform correct in which they're

generating good sales and consistent

sales from it but it's key to decide

which one you're going to focus on so

we're going to dive into that today

before I dive into it I want to thank

our sponsor profit calc the one click

profit calculator app available on the

Shopify App Store there's a link in the

description below taxes a free try file

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store today alright so let's dive into

which ad platform is best the thing I

want to mention first that each ad

platform is going to really depend on

where your audience is is your audience

on the younger end or the older end it's

gonna depend on the products you sell

too are these products lending

themselves nicely to video content or

should you be really focusing on search

content is going to be short form video

content it's going to be engaging

something you want to see on social

media because you're basically going to

have to stop a consumer from being in

the middle of enjoying content let's say

they're on Tick Tock they're watching

funny videos on cats is your product

gonna lend itself nicely to engaging

them in the first few seconds that are

so critical it's gonna be something that

they don't really need but maybe if

they're searching for it on Google

that's the best time to reach them so as

we go through each platform today keep

that in mind as that's going to be a key

driver in deciding which ad platform

you're going to choose so the first ad

platform we're going to take a look at

today is Facebook and Instagram this is

really the one a lot of Shopify store

owners start with makes it very easy to

Target different audiences different

niches maybe you want a specific age

range and you want to make sure they

like something such as maybe they're

interested in cats you can Target that

demographic you could also Target

certain brands if they're big enough you

can cross layer different audiences to

get really detailed targeting here

applies to Target by different countries

it's a great way to set up remarketing

as well as Facebook has very good

tracking so you can Market Dynamic

display ads we're displaying the

products that the customer viewed

exactly in targeting them there as well

so this is a key platform to set up for

most businesses as it's quite easy to

set up there are a ton of tutorials

online on how to do it and Facebook has

a huge audience with their Facebook and

Instagram platforms one thing to note is

that video content is still trending

heavily on these platforms so you want

to have a good creative video content

that's engaging and that can get the

customer to stop and view your products

Facebook also loves having lots of

creatives so I can be a con here because

you're gonna have to create a lot of

creatives quite often as Facebook's

going to cycle through them and it's

going to want to see that you're

creating new engaging content rather

than running the same ad over and over

again another con of Facebook and

Instagram is that it's quite crowded

here there are a ton of drop shippers on

here a ton of Shopify Merchants

advertising similar products and it can

be hard to stand out it's gonna be a

theme with every app platform here but

Facebook and Instagram is extremely

crowded and the cpcs have gone up

recently in years here as the platforms

become saturated but overall it is a

great platform still to reach huge scale

when selling your products online next

let's take a look at Google ads so this

is going to include Google shopping as

well and Google search ads and throw on

display marketing here for remarketing

as well so one of the great things about

this as this will require no custom

creative here for search ads and for

Google shopping ads search ads You're

simply just going to create a text-based

ad here and Target certain keywords it

allows you to get very granular with

this you can Target exact match so you

can Target when customers are searching

exactly for your product maybe in the

size or the color you can show them the

relevant ad here if you're selling

bracelets it could be black bracelet

with a cross bead or something similar

so you can Target exactly that and show

it there another one is Google shopping

here so there's a shopping tab in Google

which customers can click on when

they're searching for a product and it's

going to show images of your products

here it's going to pull directly from

your Shopify product image so again no

creative there this one actually

requires less work as you don't even

have to write a text ad there are a ton

of apps available on the Shopify app

store where you can easily integrate

your products into Google shopping ads

if we take a look at the example here if

you go to Google you just type in Nike

shoes navigate to the shopping Tab and

you can show all these different

products here so you're gonna see price

the website reviews shipping costs so

this can require almost no work past the

initial setup and can be a great way to

sell your products through Google here

it is generally a last used feature on

Shopify especially for a nice shot as

Drop Shipping but it is getting more

crowded so you just keep that in mind as

well the last thing for a con here would

be that it can be expensive for search

depending on the keywords some are much

more competitive than others and it's

gonna be much more expensive here to

rank in the top few search results next

we'll take a look at Pinterest here

Pinterest is really popular with a lot

of different apparel and fashion brands

as it's very image focused here on their

platform re-pinning can be a great way

to get more reach as well and it's good

for targeting specific niches Pinterest

platform adds here have come a long way

in the last few years in terms of who

you can Target and how easy it is to set

up a campaign Pinterest is really

popular with women in the US so if that

is your target audience Pinterest is a

great way to reach them here it has

quite a large Global reach as well once

here is that I have noticed when

advertising on Pinterest the cbcs can be

expensive well that can really vary on

platform and the niche you're targeting

next we'll take a look at Tick Tock here

Tick Tock is great because it again it's

going to have huge scale it's gonna be

one of the most popular social media

platforms at this point in time if

you're targeting a younger audience's a

great one to Target here and they have

pretty decent targeting here in terms of

different niches you've seen some really

popular products on Tick Tock such as

the Galaxy lamp it's essentially going

to light up your room and give it really

nice lighting that product simply just

blew up on Tick Tock which hundreds of

thousands and millions of views here

that one was really popular with younger

audiences something to note about the

creative on Tick Tock and it has to be

really engaging most tick tocks aren't

that large and customers tend to scroll

quite quickly Through The Tick Tock feed

so your audience targeting has to be

really good your content has to be

engaging it has to be similar to what's

on the platform this applies to all

social media platforms here but you want

to be creating custom content for each

platform as each platform is going to

have different Trends in terms how

things are created and how content is

organized so you want to be paying

attention to mine there you want to

spend time on these platforms and

understand the little nuances next let's

take a look at YouTube ads here so these

ads include the pre-roll ads mainly as

this is where most YouTube ads are shown

so before you watch a YouTube video you

show a quick ad and you get the option

to skip that video or you can watch the

entire thing something great about you

YouTube is that you're going to pay only

for the views here so when a customer

watches longer than five seconds so when

you see some YouTube ad do is they try

to get you to get off and skip that ad

quickly because you might not be the

target audience YouTube is great it has

over a billion users so tons of scale

here in terms of views keeps a little

better for long form video ads as most

people on YouTube to watch longer

content when the cons would be targeting

his hit or miss here and it can be quite

broad so it would depend on your Niche

and what you're targeting if it has to

be too specific YouTube might not be the

best way to do it here there are ways to

work around it such as there is a

technique where you only advertise on

the videos you choose so you go find

possibly videos heavily relating to your

content maybe you sell barbecues so you

run an ad on top five barbecues when you

run your ad there saying hey this is

actually the best barbecue you should

buy ours below so different ways in

different nuances again for each

platform so you want to make sure that

you're doing research for each one

deciding what best fits your brand and

the targeting works best for you and if

your budget can support that lastly

let's take a look at one more platform

here and that's going to be Snapchat

it's really great for a younger audience

again it has good targeting again you do

have to have really creative and

engaging ads there have been complaints

here on poor ranked analytics in

comparison to some other more developed

platforms but Snapchat ads have come a

long way in the last few years and they

are still very popular for Shopify

stores so there are a few more platforms

there's Reddit big ads as well both of

which are great options depending on

your Niche and your targeting that

you're looking for so overall this

concludes the video on which ad platform

is best that question is going to be

impossible to answer on my end it's

going to depend on your Shopify store

what products do you sell what price

range are there what audience are you

looking to Target which countries are

you looking to Target these are all

going to depend to help give you an

answer so hopefully this overview helped

give you an idea of the ad platforms

that are out there the targeting can do

with each and some of the pros and cons

for each platform here again you should

be focusing on one to two platforms at

the beginning really understanding what

content you should be posting the ins

and outs of each platform so make sure

you decide carefully here using can be

quite a Time investment to get good at

advertising on a specific platform so

this can includes the video If you

enjoyed the video I would love it so

much if you hit that like And subscribe

button below if you have any questions

leave a comment and lastly I want to

mention our sponsor profit calc again

the one click profit calculator app

available on the Shopify App Store

there's a link in the description below

to check out that 15 day free trial so

you can test things out for yourself

thank you so much for watching and I'll

see you in our next video